Halfway to the Atlantic!

Well, here we are ladies and gentlemen- halfway to the Atlantic Ocean!  Aye caramba!  Who really thought they would see the day?!  

This week has been a tough one- not because of any big climbs at all, but endless miles on endless roads and record-breaking high temperatures.  I think this will be our way of life across not only Nebraska (where we are now) but Iowa as well.  

Here's how we're all holding up:

Dave is a steady cyclist.  He passes over whatever terrain he is presented with in a calm, capable fashion.  He leads us through uncertain areas like construction zones like a pro.  He is also our map guy.  His great sense of direction keeps us on track every time- even when roads are not marked and other cyclists question.

  
I am a bit moody- but I'm learning good tricks like how to open a granola bar wrapper and consume said granola bar while pedaling.  I think I may be more of a fair weather cyclists. Today, for instance, we had a headwind for something around 65 straight miles.  I was unhappy. I wanted to give it all up every 5 minutes or so.  Dave helped hold me through by letting me draft behind him and Larry gave me many a thumbs up of encouragement.  With God's help, I was able to continue on for over 9 hours and 96 miles.  I'm going to sleep as soon as I'm through typing.  
Larry is a man who never gives up!  His recumbent is a tough machine to move up mountain sides, but he has climbed every one.  He is known around camp for his resilience and amazes Dave and I each day he makes it back into camp again- sometimes well ahead of us and always with cheer.